Locking System for Containers

ABSTRACT

A locking security device including an outer collar and an inner collar wherein the inner collar rotates freely within the outer collar and wherein the locking security device is may be used with numerous genres of existing jars, mason jars and particularly wide mouth mason jars. The locking system provides an elderly-friendly, child-resistant pill locking mechanism which can be utilized in numerous capacities, and particularly fit for mason jars and wide mouth mason jars.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and takes priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/956,345 filed on Jan. 2,2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present system relates to locking systems for containment systemsand more specifically for localized or analog locking devices for jarsand packaging suitable for retaining medication or valuables, yetproviding resistance to entry by unwanted factions, including children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to access control for personal securedcontainers. It is well known that medications, such as pills, tablets,and capsules, must be administered over a dosing period. Additionally,substances now in regular daily usage such as hemp, cannabidiol (CBD),cannabis, marijuana, medical marijuana and other recreational ormedicinal substances. In many circumstances the medications can beharmful to children, so lawmakers have passed regulations concerningchild resistant packaging. The use of child resistant packaging is wellknown throughout the art, and has been utilized for goods ranging fromhousehold items to pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical industryhas settled on two main methods of dispensing medication, either looselyin a bottle or more discretely in a blister card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant apparatus and system, as illustrated herein, is clearly notanticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior artmechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A versatilesystem, method and series of apparatuses for creating and utilizingnumerous locking mechanisms for containment systems. Thus the severalembodiments of the instant apparatus are illustrated herein.

In this specification, a “user” is anyone interacting with the lockingsystem or web service, including a person operating a portableelectronic device as described herein. The words “user” and “device” (or“portable electronic device”) are in some cases used interchangeably,since the device is carried and operated by the user.

A “locking system” or “lock system” includes a “lock”, and the terms aresometimes used interchangeably. Configuration, description, use orclaims to a “locking system” or “lock system” includes configuration,description, use or claims to a “lock” accordingly.

The present invention provides an elderly-friendly, child-resistant pilllocking mechanism which can be utilized in numerous capacities, andparticularly fit for mason jars and wide mouth mason jars. The systemutilizes a rotational security system designed to allow usage withstandard containers such as mason jars without any requirement ofretrofitting.

It is therefore an objective of the instant system to introduce a novelsystem or platform for security of a containment vessel.

It is an additional objective of the instant system too introduce anovel system or platform for on location, inexpensive and analogsecurity of a containment vessel.

It is an additional objective of the instant system to introduce novelsystem or platform for security of all genres of containment systems, ofall shapes and sizes.

It is also an objective of the instant system to introduce a novelsystem or platform for security of all genres containment systems suchall shapes and sizes of jars and jars with lids, including small, mediumand large mouth jars with lids.

It is additionally an objective of the instant system to introduce anovel system or platform for security of a standard mason jar and lidthat utilizes an instant simple retrofit to the standard mason jar.

It is additionally an objective of the instant system to introduce anovel system or platform for security of a standard mason jar and lid.

It is also an objective of the instant system to introduce a novelsystem or platform for security of a wide mouth mason jar and lid.

It is an additional object of the present system to disclose an analogsecurity system that replaces the mason jar metal threaded collar, butretains the mason jar metal sealing cap.

It is an additional object of the present system to disclose an analogsecurity system further disclosing a replaceable co-brand tag and aremovable lanyard loop post.

It is moreover an objective of the instant system to introduce a systemto securely store all kinds of materials, in a manner wherein children,animals and unwanted people are flatly denied access to the contents ofa container, which is specifically suited to such substances ascannabis.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the locking system for containers, in order that thedetailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, andin order that the present contribution to the art may be betterappreciated. There are additional features of the system that will bedescribed hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of theclaims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the systemin detail, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the following description, and/orillustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein arefor the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the system, along with the variousfeatures of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operatingadvantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, referenceshould be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system.

The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features ofthe present system in order that the detailed description of the systemthat follows may be better understood, and the present contributions tothe art may be more fully appreciated. It is of course not possible todescribe every conceivable combination of components and/ormethodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize thatmany further combinations or permutations are possible. Accordingly, thenovel architecture described below is intended to embrace all suchalterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an upper side perspective view of the containerlocking system in a disassembled state illustrating the outer collar andthe inner collar of the instant system and the constituent components ofthe outer collar including the lanyard, the lanyard hole, the removablyattached label plate or name plate, and the name plate retainingportion, with the removably attached name plate disengaged of theinvention as disclosed;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the container lockingsystem, including the outer collar and the inner collar of the system,fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar and theadaptation of the container system to the sealing mechanism of thenormal mason jar.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the container lockingsystem in a fully assembled from including the outer collar and theinner collar of the system. Further illustrated is the removablyattached nameplate engaged.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the overall containerlocking system with inner collar below the outer collar, illustratingthe aligning of the lanyard hole of the inner collar and outer collar.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the outer collarillustrates the locking teeth on inner portion of the upper region ofthe outer collar are design to engage with the set of locking teeth onouter portion of the upper region of the inner collar.

FIG. 6 illustrates the corresponding upper side of the inner collar,exemplifying the locking teeth located on the outer portion of the upperregion of the inner collar.

FIG. 7 illustrates side perspective view of a cutaway of the containerlocking system illustrating the outer collar and gauge of the innercaller. For the illustrated upper portion of the outer collar in the rimsize portion of the outer collar.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including anouter surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation.

FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including anouter surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation and theloop for hanging attachments.

FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band including anouter surface comprising ridges for ease of grip and rotation, the loopfor hanging attachments and the area for advertisements or labels.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of oneembodiment of the container locking system further illustrating theelement and for the illustrating some examples of replaceable signsillustrating company names or logos for products or goods.

FIG. 18 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment ofthe container locking system.

FIG. 11 is an inverted view of the outer collar and inner collar.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of the container lockingsystem, including the outer collar and the inner collar of the system,fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of several embodiments of theapparatus and does not represent the only forms in which the presentapparatus may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forththe functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operatingthe apparatus in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However,it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions andsequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied,unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere inthis specification. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modifiedby the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term“about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in theart would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having thesame function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” mayinclude numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral views. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depictillustrative embodiments of the claimed invention.

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment ofthe container locking system 10 in a disassembled state, including theouter collar 20 and the inner collar 30 of the system. Illustrated indepth are the outer collar 20 and its constituent components includingthe removably attached lanyard 22, the lanyard hole the removablyattached or replaceable Co-brand tag, label plate or name plate 21, andthe name plate 21 retaining portion 22, with the removably attached nameplate 21 disengaged. The label plate can be used to advertise companynames or even to act as a marker indicating what substance is stored inthe specific bottle.

Addressing the inner collar 30 of the system, illustrated are the set oflocking teeth 35 on outer portion of the upper region 39 of the innercollar 30. Additionally illustrated is the inner collar 30 which iscontained within and floats freely inside the outer collar 20. Furtherillustrated are the inner collar 30 constituent components including thelanyard hole 34 the set of locking teeth 35, which are located on outerportion of the upper region of the inner collar 30. Further illustratedis the threaded portion 38 of the inner collar 30.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the container lockingsystem 10, including the outer collar 20 and the inner collar 30 of thesystem, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar50. In addition, illustrated is the adaptation of the container system10 to the sealing mechanism 51 of the normal mason jar of all sizes,here a wide mouth mason jar 50 is utilized, without any need foraltering the normal sealing mechanism 51 and threading arrangement.Concurrently illustrated is the threaded portion 58 of the jar 50 whichmates with the threaded portion 38 of the inner collar 30. Thus, thesystem provides a highly useful, and seamlessly implemented system forproviding security for a normal household jar.

Further illustrated is the removably attached nameplate 21 prominentlydisplayed in the engaged position. The removably attached nameplate 21can be removed and installed without any loss of security or removal ofthe container locking system 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates front perspective view of the container lockingsystem 10 in a fully assembled from including the outer collar 20 andthe inner collar 30 of the system. Further illustrated is the removablyattached nameplate 21 engaged and prominently displayed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the overall containerlocking system 10 with inner collar 30 below the outer collar 20. Andfurther illustrating the lining up of the lanyard hole 34 of the innercollar 30 and the lanyard hole 24 of the outer collar 20. Furtherillustrated is the removably attached nameplate 21 engaged andprominently displayed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the outer collarillustrates the locking teeth 25 on inner portion of the upper region 28of the outer collar 20 are design to engage with the set of lockingteeth 35 on outer portion of the upper region of the inner collar 30.Further illustrated is the lower retaining mechanism 29 for securelyretaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20.

FIG. 6 illustrates the corresponding upper side of the inner collar 30,exemplifying the locking teeth 35 located on the outer portion of theupper region 38 of the inner collar 30.

In operation, in order to initially secure the container locking system10 to the 50, the user mates the threaded area 38 of the inner collar 30with the threaded area 58 of the jar. The user next rotates clockwisewhile simultaneously applying a quantity of force downward untilreaching the stop point of the mated threads and releasing the outercollar 20 of the container locking system 10. At this point, the innercollar will float axially inside the outer collar and retain thesecurity of the jar.

When the user desires to remove the container locking device, the userapplies a quantity of force downward while simultaneously rotatingcounterclockwise, which engages the locking teeth 28 of the outer collar20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 in order to allowcomplete rotation of the container locking system and thensimultaneously rotate counterclockwise and the inner collar will rideupward on the threads, thus unlocking the jar.

Thus, due in part to the amount of downward pressure or force, and thecorresponding user hand and arm strength required to activate anddeactivate the locking teeth, the system provides a simple, lowmaintenance, yet extremely effective manner to keep goods secure fromchildren and possibly elderly co-habitators.

As illustrated throughout the Figures, the locking teeth 28 of the outercollar 20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 are bothdesigned with mating faces set perpendicular to the interior portion ofthe outer collar 20 and the exterior portion of the inner collar 30 inorder to provide the greatest possible mating surface area and in orderthat the teeth mesh and slippage can never occur.

Also illustrated throughout the Figures, the locking teeth 28 of theouter collar 20 and the locking teeth 38 of the inner collar 30 aredesigned with angularly displaced rearward support sections of themating faces in order to add support and rigidity while retained lighterweight qualities. The angle of the rearward support sections may rangefrom ten (10) degrees to forty five (45) degrees.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a cutaway containerlocking system 10 illustrating the outer collar and gauge of the innercaller 30. For the illustrated upper portion of the outer collar in therim size portion 25 of the outer collar. Additionally illustrated arethe threaded portions 38 of the inner collar, the lanyard hole of theinner collar 37, the outer collar lower retaining mechanism 29 forsecurely retaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20 andfurther illustrated is the outer collar upper retaining mechanism 27 forsecurely retaining the inner collar 30 within the outer collar 20. Thelower retaining mechanism 29 and the upper retaining mechanism 27 guidethe inner collar 30 and ensure that the inner collar 30 freely thefloats, but cannot break free from the outer collar 20.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including anouter surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation.

FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including anouter surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation and theloop for hanging attachments 37.

FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the containerlocking system illustrating a customizable silicon band 60 including anouter surface comprising ridges 65 for ease of grip and rotation, theloop for hanging attachments 37 and the area for advertisements orlabels 61.

This configuration limits the possibility for mishandling the device,jar, or the enclosed contents and speeds up the locking/unlockingprocess overall. In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the lockincludes gripping elements to further facilitate the mounting andremoval of the lock. Plastic normally has a greater risk of slippagecompared to other materials like rubber, for example. Ridges, or othersimilar gripping and holding elements, assist the user in maintainingsecure grip while handling the jar. Because the device is directed foruse on glass jars, additional elements to prevent slippage or drops arehighly desirable.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of oneembodiment of the container locking system 10 illustrating the element21 and for the illustrating some examples of replaceable signs 80illustrating company names or logos for products or goods.

FIG. 10-FIG. 12 illustrate an additional embodiment of instant systemwherein the mating teeth of the outer casing and the mating teeth at theinner casing comprise a substantially rectangular shape whollyperpendicular mating, as well as providing optimal strengthcharacteristics as opposed to those utilizing the angularly displacedrearward support sections of the mating faces, which add support andrigidity, while retained lighter weight qualities. Further illustratedis an identification or co-branding label which is more permanentlyetched into the outer collar in two places.

FIG. 10 illustrates an upper side perspective view of one embodiment ofthe container locking system 70 in a disassembled state, including theouter collar 80 and the inner collar 90 of the system. Illustrated indepth are the outer collar 80 and its constituent components includingthe co-brand tag, label p late or name plate 81, and the name platewhich is etched into the material utilized. The label plate 81 can beused to advertise company names or even to act as a marker indicatingwhat substance is stored in the specific bottle.

Addressing the inner collar 90 of the system, illustrated are the set oflocking teeth 95 on outer portion of the upper region 99 of the innercollar 90. Additionally illustrated is the inner collar 90 which iscontained within and floats freely inside the outer collar 80. Furtherillustrated pare the inner collar 90 constituent components includingthe set of locking teeth. 95, which are located on the outer portion ofthe upper region of the inner collar 90. Further illustrated is thethreaded portion 98 of the inner collar 90.

FIG. 11 is an inverted view of the outer collar 80 and inner collar 90.Additionally illustrated are the threaded portions 98 of the innercollar, the lanyard hole of the inner collar 97, the outer collar lowerretaining mechanism 87 for securely retaining the inner collar 90 withinthe outer collar 80 and further illustrated is the outer collar upperretaining mechanism 89 for securely retaining the inner collar 90 withinthe outer collar 80.

The outer collar lower retaining mechanism 89 and the upper retainingmechanism 87 guide the inner collar 90 and ensure that the inner collar90 freely the floats but cannot break free from the outer collar 80.Further illustrated are the locking teeth 85 of the outer collar 80which match in a perpendicular fashion with the locking teeth 95 of theinner collar 90.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of the container lockingsystem 70, including the outer collar 80 and the inner collar 90 of thesystem, fully engaged to securely lock the lid of an ordinary mason jar50. In addition, illustrated is the adaptation of the container system10 to the sealing mechanism 51 of the normal mason jar of all sizes,here a wide mouth mason jar 50 is utilized, without any need foraltering the normal sealing mechanism 51 and threading arrangement. Thethreaded portion 58 of the jar 50 mates with threaded portion 98 of theinner collar 90 and thus, the system provides a highly useful, andseamlessly implemented system for providing security for a normalhousehold jar.

It will be appreciated that the specific mechanisms for each stage oflocking/unlocking are possible configurations and are not limiting.Although the dual sets of mating locking teeth are illustrated numerousmechanical systems and embodiments could be employed to accomplish theobjectives of the present system.

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking device comprising: an outer collar; aninner collar wherein the inner collar rotates freely within the outercollar.
 2. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the inner collar isdisposed to fit circumferentially over the top of the container tosecure the lid so it cannot be removed without disengaging the outercollar and the inner collar.
 3. The locking device of claim 1 whereinthe outer collar further comprises a set of locking teeth.
 4. Thelocking device of claim 1 wherein the inner collar further comprises aset of locking teeth.
 5. The locking device of claim 4 wherein the innercollar further comprises a set of locking teeth wherein the set oflocking teeth on inner portion of the upper region of the outer collarare design to engage with the set of locking teeth on outer portion ofthe upper region of the inner collar.
 6. The locking device of claim 4wherein the locking teeth of the outer collar and the locking teeth ofthe inner collar are designed with angularly displaced rearward supportsections of the mating faces in order to add support and rigidity whileretained lighter weight qualities.
 7. The locking device of claim 4wherein the locking teeth of the outer collar and the locking teeth ofthe inner collar are substantially rectangular.
 8. The locking device ofclaim 1 wherein the outer collar further comprises a removably attachedlanyard, a lanyard hole, and a removably attached name plate, and thename plate retaining portion.
 9. The locking device of claim 1 whereinthe inner collar further comprises a lanyard hole.
 10. The lockingdevice of claim 1, wherein the outer collar further comprises a lowerretaining mechanism for securely retaining the inner collar within theouter collar and upper retaining mechanism for securely retaining theinner collar within the outer collar.